- Agnieszka Burnett Perfumer:
Company:Nomaterra
Web:nomaterra.com
Agnieszka Burnett is a remarkable figure in the world of perfumery. Born in 1985 in the coal mining town of Katowice, Poland, she escaped communism with her family in 1986 and settled in Oyster Bay, NY, USA.
Her journey in the fragrance realm is deeply influenced by her diverse experiences. Growing up, she was exposed to a variety of scents - from the crisp and salty aroma of the Oyster Bay beach to the lush fragrance of her grandfather's tulip garden. Her family's extensive travels across the United States and Europe further fueled her passion for scents associated with different locations. These early experiences laid the foundation for her future career as a perfumer.
Agnieszka's educational background also plays a crucial role in her work. She studied at Columbia University, where she not only gained knowledge in the sciences but also met her husband, Benjamin Burnett. Her degree in chemistry from Columbia University provides her with a deep understanding of the composition of fragrances, enabling her to appreciate the slight nuances in scent creation. Benjamin, with his degree in biochemistry from the same university, contributes his expertise in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering, which is integral to Nomaterra's creation of innovative products.
Before fully delving into perfumery, Agnieszka worked as a beauty editor under the direction of Felicia Milewicz. This role exposed her to a wide range of traditional, niche, classic, vintage, and trendy fragrances. It was during this time that she developed a keen understanding of beauty trends and the fragrance industry as a whole.
Agnieszka and her husband founded Nomaterra Fragrances, a New York - based company. Their mission is to marry travel with beauty through the art of perfumery, using natural and organic ingredients hand - selected to represent a specific time and place. They create scents that are not only beautiful but also evoke a sense of nostalgia for the places they are inspired by. For example, their Miami Orange Blossom fragrance was inspired by their first family trip to Miami Beach, capturing the essence of the turquoise - colored water, the rustling palm trees, and the smell of exotic flowers like ylang ylang, orange blossom, and jasmine.
In creating their scents, the Burnetts follow a unique process. They conduct extensive historical, archaeological, anthropological, biological, and geographical research on each location. They record the indigenous flora and fauna, as well as specialty foods or spices, which have a significant impact on the area's smell. Then, they source high - grade natural, organic, exotic, and rare essences from around the world and incorporate them into their fragrance compositions. All their fragrances are hand - blended and poured in New York, and they are committed to not testing on animals.
Agnieszka Burnett's work as a perfumer is a harmonious blend of her personal experiences, scientific knowledge, and passion for travel. Her creations at Nomaterra Fragrances allow people to experience the essence of different places through scent, making her a truly unique and influential figure in the world of perfumery.
